My journey into the topic of transformation began with an investigation of stimulus and response. I diagrammed and read about how light, specifically heliotropism, affects plant life. Through this study, I came to focus my solution for the hillman house on a light screen that also acted as a room separater and a shelving system at the same time. The problem was that it became anything but focused. So, rather than tackle three solutions in one, I decided to simplify and concentrate on improving one thing with thoughtful decisions and careful study.
Existing house and conditions (window to the right is where the project focuses.)
Like many of us, I chose to address the large window wall in the living room, which sits on the project's western side. I noticed the beautiful view captured by the window, but the potential issue of a harsh light entering in at certain times during the day. I also made note that the existing furniture plan avoided placing a chair in front of the window- whether that be to prevent blocking a view or because of the potential for direct sunlight in that spot, I'm not sure. I asked myself, how can I create a spot that allows for both the enjoyment of the view and also a favorable lighting condition? In my solution I have chosen to place a tufted ottoman or bench in front of the window, low enough to prevent a blockage of the view, but inviting enough to lay down or sit on for a direct view of the trees.
Plan view with proposed seating.
In focusing my study of light I calculated the solar elevation and azimuth based on the orientation of the house as well as its latitude and longitude for four times of the year, January, April, July, and October. I tried to choose one from each season in an effort to best understand how the sun would behave throughout the year. I charted both the angle at which the sun would enter the room horizontally for every hour from noon to 5pm for the four times selected throughout the year. I also charted the angle of elevation of the sun and how deep into the room the sun would enter. From here, I was able to understand the movement of the sun throughout the year as we've all been taught, but understand it in a way specific to the hillman house.
Solar Azimuth Angles into the window.
Solar Elevation into the window.
I needed a way to narrow down the scope of these times and so I thought about what times during the year the sun might be the harshest. During July the sun may stay out longer, however the trees would have leaves on them, reducing the need for shading during that month. In October, many of the leaves may still be on as well. January's light, lower in the sky, would reach into the room and would not have the shade of the trees. April, similarly may just be producing vegetation, and so I chose these two times to focus the shading of the bench.
As the sun travels over the sky, the angle of the sun in the living room becomes wider and so I wanted to pick times during the day where the sun may be the harshest. I noticed the sun came directly into the room at 3pm during April, so instead of trying to block the sun during that time, I chose 2pm and 4pm and designed the screen to provide shade during those times. Because I knew that this was the time of day where the sun was the most direct, if I was able to space the slats in a way that blocked the sun during these times, then I could be certain that during the other times of the day, where the angle is less obtuse, the shading would still apply. I put this same theory into practice for the month of January, choosing 2pm and 3pm.
After charting the azimuth and the elevation for these four times, I placed the bench into the equation and determined the distance along the window that would affect the bench during that time.
By combining the horizontal and vertical angle of the sun for each time of the day against the window according to the bench, a grid was created. For instance, in April at 2 pm between these two x-coordinates and these two y-coordinates, this block of sun falls directly onto the bench.
So, how to handle the light in these spots? The goal was to create ambient light that first hits wood slats instead of direct light. As for the slats, I came to a few conclusions. First, when determining the slats' characteristics there were three things to take into consideration. Slat depth, spacing and angle. Deciding to keep the angle of the slats rigid and perpendicular to the window, preventing any further obstruction of the view, I was left with the slat depth and the spacing. I noticed that for the same angle of light, you could have different spacing by changing the depth of the slat. The shorter the depth, the closer together the slats must be and vise versa. I went back to my charts and determined the spacing best suited for each time of the day.
The final result has four different conditions. April at 2 pm- slats 10 inches deep, 3 inches apart. April 4 pm became an open space because the angle of the sun was such that its time affecting the bench was so little, I chose to keep it open. Jan. 3pm slats are 8 inches deep and 4 inches apart. Jan. 2 pm- slats 6 inches deep 6 inches apart. This way, someone could sit or lie on the bench anytime past 4pm and up until 2 pm and always have a shaded seat. Light would come in directly, however it would fall past the bench on all four sides, but never directly onto it.
Lastly, I took into consideration the structure as far as construction. In keeping with the precedents set forth in the house, the light shade would be constructed of either maple or teak and the bracing would be steel. Steel angles and structural tees are used as supports with screws entering the slats from the window side.
Construction Drawings have been darkened for best resolution on the computer.
And so this is my solution for a way to both transform and respect the hillman house.
